Enjoying parenting and forgetting the ‘to do’ list

Skydiving for parents sounds like just another book on parenting and to some extent it is, with a spiritual twist.

But American author Jane Bullivant is not a proselytizer, and her advice comes across in a light-hearted, packed full of tips for raising children way.

Her focus is on forgetting trying to do it all, and ditching the idea that being super-organised is the key to a happy home-life.

Jane, who homeschools her own three children, instead advocates enjoying time with children and forgetting about all on a ‘to-do’ list. While this is easy to say and less easy to do, some of her advice has a real touch of warmth and is inspiring. She tells parents to remember the ‘G’ word (graciousness) and be kind and generous with their children’s mistakes and annoying little habits.

I loved the phrase – and the idea – of ‘tomato stake parenting’. It means, simply, that a young child needs a parent close to grow strong and straight. If a young child is misbehaving, keep him close to you throughout the day, both while you are doing other things and while you do things together with him. The attention and closeness will give him the self-esteem to get over his misbehaviour, Jane says.

An enjoyable book, which avoids any mention of ‘time out’ or ‘naughty steps’ beloved of so many other parenting manuals today!

Skydiving for Parents Jane Bullivant Monarch Books £6.99